One-third of employers have prohibited relationships between managers and subordinates, according to findings from XpertHR, who surveyed HR professionals at 200 UK organisations.

In addition, the survey highlighted that one employer in six has prohibited relationships between employees and customers, while one in seven banned relationships between employees are on the same team.

Despite these findings, the survey also found more than two-thirds of employers have no policy in place to deal with workplace relationships.

Respondents to the survey also gave some insight into the type of action taken when relationships develop in the workplace. Most commonly employees are asked to inform line managers or HR departments when notifying the company of a workplace relationship. Respondents also said they embarked on informal discussions with HR or line managers.

On a more negative note, some said they monitor colleagues in relationships "for problematic behaviour".

However, some said they supported workplace relationships, while the most common response among employers learning of relationships between colleagues was to take no action at all. ¦ between colleagues